A. Biłat

Bertrand Russell’s Philosophy of Mysticism

Analiza i Egzystencja January 1, 2025 A. Biłat

Bertrand Russell's writings on mysticism fall into two groups. One group, including parts of Mysticism and Logic (1914), criticizes key tenets of mystical philosophy found in Parmenides, Spinoza, and Hegel. The other group, including parts of The Essence of Religion (1912), presents a concept of non-dogmatic mysticism as a spiritual attitude toward the world, defined by a specific type of contemplation and mystical emotions. This article offers a rational reconstruction of that concept, considering its philosophical context and connections to the contemporary psychology of mystical experience developed in the tradition of W. James and W. T. Stace. It provides a new perspective on Russell's early thought, revealing the complex structure and philosophical and psychological significance of his concept of mysticism.